Tags

Erbil, Kurdistan Region – The Islamic State group (IS/ISIS) sent hundreds of militants of the so-called Jund al-Khilafa (Caliphate’s soldiers) from Iraq to Syria.

A local source in Mosul told ARA News (on the condition of anonymity) that large groups of IS militants left the Iraqi city of Mosul on Wednesday and headed to Syria’s Hasakah.

“The Islamic State tried to keep the movement of Iraqi militants to Syria confidential, but apparently they’re trying to reinforce their presence in the northeastern Syrian province of Hasakah” he added.

The source confirmed that the Islamic State sent a large number of insurgents to Syria, accompanied by military equipment, armored vehicles, light and medium weapons with ammunition, including cannons (130-122).

The jihadists are most likely moving Iraqi (local fighters) to fight in Syria, including those who participated in the battles there before the invasion of Mosul months ago, while foreign fighters (immigrants) will reportedly stay in Iraq to ​​fight inside Iraqi territory amid the continuous offensive by the Peshmerga and Iraqi army against the group.

“This step came for several reasons, including the disposal of security breaches, and cutting links of the IS Iraqi militants with the authorities there,” the source told ARA News.

The source pointed out that the recent IS defeats in Salahuddin province forced the group’s leadership to transfer its Iraqi militants to Syria to avoid any similar scenarios in the future.

On the other hand, pro-IS media outlets confirmed that without explanation on Wednesday morning the group evacuated the majority of Mosul streets of its insurgents, closing shops since.